WOMEN - Stay-at-home mothers are the happiest

Stay-at-home mothers are the happiest: Women who don't return to work suffer less from feelings of boredom and worthlessness

• -  Full-time mothers feel more contentment than career women
• -  Findings will put further pressure on Tories treatment of married couples
• -  Survey also finds married people are happier than singles or co-habitees
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By STEVE DOUGHTY

PUBLISHED: 23:25 GMT, 30 July 2013 | UPDATED: 23:29 GMT, 30 July 2013

Mothers who do not return to work rate themselves happier than those with a career

Stay-at-home mothers are more likely to think their lives are worthwhile than women who go to work, a study of national happiness suggests.

They tend not to suffer from boredom, frustration or feelings of worthlessness, according to the research on Britain’s wellbeing.

Full-time mothers gave the value of their lives a score of eight out of ten, compared to 7.8 for people in work.

Data also revealed that married people are significantly more contented than cohabitees and much happier than single or divorced people.

The findings will add further pressure on the Government to change the treatment of married couples where only one partner works. Couples with a full-time mother pay higher taxes in Britain than in almost every other western country and lose out badly in the benefits system, particularly over tax credits.

And the Coalition’s drive to get more mothers to work has produced even more disadvantages. Under a new policy, parents will be given up to £1,200 a year for each child under the age of five to help with the cost of childcare – but only if both parents are in work.

Yesterday’s report from the Office for National Statistics on personal well-being, ordered by David Cameron, looked at the happiness of people who are economically inactive – the class into which full-time mothers fall.

While those who stay at home scored the worth of their lives higher than those who go to work, scores for happiness, life satisfaction and anxiety levels were broadly the same.

The ONS figures do not include a breakdown that reveals whether men or women at work are the happier. Nor is there any data to show the difference in contentment between full-time mothers who are married or cohabiting, and those who are single parents.

But the findings do show that married people and cohabitees are much happier than single people – which suggests that married or cohabiting stay-at-home mothers feel their lives are more worthwhile than working people.

Married people were also found to be more satisfied and less anxious than cohabitees.

The official endorsement of the benefits of marriage over other relationships comes at a time when Mr Cameron and Chancellor George Osborne have failed to make good on repeated promises to bring in a tax break for married couples.

Campaigner Laura Perrins, who earlier this year accused Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg on his radio programme of betraying stay-at-home mothers, yesterday made a fresh call for an end to Government ‘prejudice’.

Martial bliss: The survey also found that married people are happier than co-habiting, single and divorced people

‘I speak as a stay-at-home mother,’ she said. ‘I know that if you choose to stay at home with your children it is a worthwhile job. It is now clear that many mothers feel the same. The Government should not be denigrating those who stay at home.

‘Being a full-time mother can be challenging, but it is satisfying and worthwhile. It is obvious that all mothers do not want to work.’

Patricia Morgan, an author on family issues, added: ‘If we really want to take happiness seriously, as Mr Cameron advises, why don’t we promote the things that make us happy? Why can’t we support marriage, and why can’t we give married couples transferable tax allowances to help stay-at-home mothers?’

The findings are based on a survey of around 165,000 people, who were asked how satisfied, worthwhile, happy or anxious they felt about their lives.

Middle-aged anxiety

French Le Miserable

A total of 77 per cent gave their satisfaction levels at least seven out of 10 – a year-on-year rise of 1.2 per cent. Some 81 per cent rated their lives as worthwhile with a score of seven or more, while the average value for life satisfaction rose from 7.4 to 7.5.

The ONS said last year’s Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, Olympics and Paralympics may also have raised peoples’ spirits.

‘All of those could potentially have influenced people’s assessment of how well their life is going and how they feel overall and generally raise their spirits,’ said spokesman Dawn Snape.

Unemployment has also been falling since late 2011 and job vacancies rising since early 2012.

The well-being measures have shown that unemployment is a major cause of disenchantment and unhappiness.

DRIVING SAFETY - Warning ahead! 98 per cent of drivers cannot understand their dashboard lights

Warning ahead! 98 per cent of drivers cannot understand their dashboard lights  

• -  Nine in 10 failed to recognise the sign for a faulty catalytic converter
• -  Just 12 of the symbols were common across all car models 
• -  A Mercedes-Benz E Class has the most symbols with 41 compared to a 
•    Nissan Micra which has 21 
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By RAY MASSEY

PUBLISHED: 11:22 GMT, 31 July 2013 | UPDATED: 12:34 GMT, 31 July 2013

Britain’s motorists are becoming a nation of ‘dashboard dunces’ baffled by the increasing array of warning lights in their cars, new research has revealed. 

More than nine in ten people failed to recognise one particular warning.

The study identified 99 separate dashboard light warnings in 15 of the UK’s most popular cars ranging from the humble Nissan hatchback to Mercedes-Benz executive saloons.

DO YOU KNOW THE MEANINGS BEHIND THE SIGNS? 

1. Car horn  2. Oil pressure warning  3. Brake/handbrake warning  4. ABS warning  5. Battery warning   6. Engine warning   7. Hazard warning  8. Engine overheat/coolant warning   9. Airbag warning  10. Seat belt warning   11. Main beam   12. Low fuel warning  13. Front fog light              14. Windscreen washer  15. Windscreen defrost   16. Rear window defrost  17. Parking brake light   18. Tyre pressure warning  19.Power steering warning   20. Start-stop indicator  21. Press clutch pedal light  22. Press brake pedal light   23. Direction indicators  24. Rear fog light  25. Diesel particulate filter warning  26. Water in fuel filter warning  27. Automatic gear box warning  28. Brake pad warning  29. Cruise control warning/info  30. Bulb monitoring/fault warning  31. Glow plug/diesel pre-heat warning  32. Service required or fault/problem 33. Stability control (also known as ESC, ESP, ASR or DTC) warning

Yet just 12 of the symbol designs were common across all models.

Breakdown firm Britannia Rescue, which commissioned the report, also conducted a survey of 2,018 drivers that revealed more than half of drivers (52 per cent) can correctly identify all 16 of the most common symbols.

The company said the number of warnings on dashboards varied dramatically from one make to another and highlighted the Mercedes-Benz E Class for having 41 compared to 21 in a Nissan Micra, BMW 3 Series and Volvo S40.

The Britannia Rescue poll found that a quarter of motorists have had one or more warning symbols light up while driving in the past 12 months – most commonly the engine, oil or battery lights.

The Mercedes-Benz E Class (pictured) had the most symbols with 41 compared to 21 in the Nissan Micra

The most baffling light is for a faulty catalytic converter which was incorrectly identified by 95 per cent of drivers.

Next for confusion was the air conditioning light which 86 per cent got wrong, followed by a tyre pressure warning that flummoxed 71 per cent.

Nearly half (48 per cent) do not even recognise the brake warning light and more than a third (35 per cent) cannot understand an airbag alert, with almost as many (27 per cent) mistaking it for a seat-belt warning.

Dashboard lights commonly inform drivers about problems like poor battery condition, low oil pressure and high engine temperature.

But many cars now have lights for service interval indicators and seatbelt reminders along with malfunctions ranging from faulty anti-skid stability control to blocked air and fuel filters, defective diesel filters or fuel contaminated by water. 

A Britannia Rescue spokesman said:’Cars have become so complex that the majority of drivers don’t understand what all of the most common warning or information lights on a car dashboard mean.

MAKE AND MODEL / NUMBER OF WARNING AND INFORMATION LIGHTS

Mercedes Benz E Class / 41
Fiat Punto / 33
Skoda Octavia / 31
Vauxhall Corsa / 28
Toyota Yaris / 28
Audi A3 / 28
Seat Ibiza / 27
Land Rover Freelander / 26
Renault Clio / 26
Ford Fiesta / 25
Citroen C3 / 25
Peugeot 207 / 22
BMW 3 Series / 21
Nissan Micra / 21
Volvo S40 / 21

WARNING LIGHT / PERCENTAGE OF DRIVERS WHO GOT IT WRONG

Catalytic Converter / 95%
Air Conditioning / 86%
Tyre Pressure / 71%    Fog Light / 58%
Engine emissions warning light / 51%
Brake system warning light / 48%
ABS warning light / 37%
Air bag warning light / 35%
Main /full beam / 32%
Parking brake / 23%
Hazard warning lights / 21%
Engine overheat/coolant warning / 14%
Seat belt warning / 6%
Low fuel / 2%
Oil pressure warning light / 2%
Battery warning light / 2%

‘As in-car technology becomes more advanced there are now more and more in-car gadgets with symbols that support everything from the car’s sat-nav system to its heating and cooling options. 

'The problem is being exacerbated by the fact that many warning light symbols are specific to a manufacturer or even the individual model.’ 

The majority carry on driving and it takes an average 12 days before they get the problem checked but six per cent admitted they ignored a warning light for more than a month which can be costly. 

Drivers who take 14 days to repair their car pay £200, more than double the £85 spent by drivers who get cars fixed immediately.

Mercedes–Benz UK said its high dashboard symbol count was due to the complex safety systems it fits including ‘collision prevention assist’ which boosts the braking force when sensors that monitor the distance of vehicles ahead detect a potential impact. 

Spokesman Angus Fitton said its cars also have more warning lights due to its two-stage system on common items like fuel level which are amber initially and then red if no action is taken: ‘Providing more information is preferable to providing too little. 

'The two-level system does mean there are more symbols on the dashboard. Some are just to give you a nudge to remind you. Others are more critical.'

HEALTH - Could gum disease and poor dental health be an early sign of Alzheimer's disease?

Could gum disease and poor dental health be an early sign of Alzheimer's disease? 

• -  Bugs that cause gum disease were found in brains of dementia patients 
• -  These bugs can enter the bloodstream through eating and dental surgery
• -  From there scientists claim they can enter the brain and destroy neurons
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By ELLIE ZOLFAGHARIFARD and JENNY HOPE

PUBLISHED: 23:02 GMT, 29 July 2013 | UPDATED: 00:10 GMT, 30 July 2013

Bad teeth and gum disease could be linked to Alzheimer’s, say scientists.

The bacteria caused by poor oral hygiene can kill off nerve cells once they reach the brain, causing the confusion and memory loss associated with dementia.

Researchers who examined the brains of ten dead Alzheimer’s patients found signs of the bug P. gingivalis.

Previous research has shown people who look after their teeth and gums have lower risk of dementia - particularly women. Inflammation triggered by gum disease has also been implicated in heart disease and diabetes

Scientists at the University of Central Lancashire suspect that the microbe leads to the death of brain cells by triggering a chemical immune response.

Despite the findings, reported in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, it ‘remains to be proven’ whether poor dental hygiene can lead to dementia in healthy people.

‘It is also likely that these bacteria could make the existing disease condition worse,’ said Professor StJohn Crean, of the university’s School of Medicine & Dentistry.

Dr Simon Ridley of the charity Alzheimer’s Research UK said oral bacterial infection could be a consequence of later stage Alzheimer’s, rather than a cause.

However, Dr Sim Singhrao, of the University of Central Lancashire, said: 'We are working on the theory when the brain is repeatedly exposed to bacteria or their debris from our gums, subsequent immune responses may lead to nerve cell death and possibly memory loss.

'Continued visits to dental hygiene professionals throughout one's life may be more important than currently envisaged with inferences for health outside of the mouth only.'

Dr Singhrao and her colleagues looked at tissue from 20 people - half of whom were suffering from dementia where the presence of products from Porphyromonas gingivalis were identified.

This bacterium is commonly associated with chronic gum disease and enters the bloodstream through daily activities such as eating, chewing and brushing teeth - but especially following invasive dental treatment.

From there it potentially gets into the brain on a regular basis and causes already primed brains cells to release more chemicals that kill neurons.

This could be one of the mechanisms that leads to changes in the brain which is typical of Alzheimer's and could be responsible for causing symptoms such as confusion and deteriorating memory.

Finding P. gingivalis in the brain of dementia sufferers, compared to those without, is significant as its presence has not been documented previously.

Brain samples from patients with the mental illness were infected with bugs that cause gum disease. The researchers believe when they reach the brain they trigger an immune response that destroys neurons

It also adds to a growing body of evidence that suggests an association between poor oral health and dementia.

Recent so far unpublished studies on animals by the same researchers has confirmed P. gingivalis in the mouth finds its way to the brain once gum disease becomes established.

Dean of dentistry Professor Stjohn Crean said: 'The bacteria could be a trigger that sets off a chain reaction in people pre-disposed to dementia.

'We are not saying this bacteria causes Alzheimer's, but it was present in the brains of the patients and not the control group.

'So people should pay particular attention to brushing their teeth and visiting the dentist to reduce the amount of bugs in their mouths - especially those with a history of dementia in their family.

'Whereas previous studies have indicated a link between dementia and other bacteria and viruses such as the Herpes simplex virus type I, this new research indicates a possible association between gum disease and individuals who may be susceptible to developing Alzheimer's disease if exposed to the appropriate trigger.

Dr Singhrao and colleagues looked at tissue from twenty people - half of whom were suffering from dementia where the presence of products from Porphyromonas gingivalis were identified

'It remains to be proven whether poor dental hygiene can lead to dementia in healthy people which obviously could have significant implications for the population as a whole. It's also likely these bacteria could make the existing disease condition worse."

Dr Singhrao said: "To help us prove our hypothesis we are hoping to use the Brains for Dementia Research tissue resource to examine brain tissue from people with both intact and compromised memory who have relevant dental records.

"The future of the research aims to discover if P. gingivalis can be used as a marker - via a simple blood test - to predict the development of Alzheimer's disease in at risk patients."

Previous research has shown people who look after their teeth and gums have lower risk of dementia - particularly women.

Inflammation triggered by gum disease has also been implicated in heart disease and diabetes.

A study of almost 5,500 elderly people found those who brushed their teeth less than once a day were up to 65 per cent more likely to develop dementia than those who brushed three times a day.

DIET TIPS - Struggling to stick to a diet?

Struggling to stick to a diet? Stocking up on fruit and veg helps - even if you DON'T eat it - because it improves self-control

• -  Researchers at University of Leeds found that those who ate a salad instead of 
•    garlic bread as a starter went on to eat smaller main meal
• -  Smelling an orange reduced chocolate consumption by over half
• -  Experts say that findings suggest that salads and fruit may remind dieters of their 
•    long term goals to lose weight and improve self-control
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By RACHEL REILLY

PUBLISHED: 14:16 GMT, 30 July 2013 | UPDATED: 14:20 GMT, 30 July 2013

Greater exposure to healthy foods improves dieters' self-control, making them more successful at reducing their food intake, according to scientists.

Dieting diners who began their meal with a salad instead of garlic bread went on to eat a smaller main course, even though both starters had the same calorie content.

And in another test, dieters reduced their chocolate consumption by more than half if they smelled a fresh orange first.

A dieter's best friend? Scientists found that dieters who ate a salad instead of garlic bread as a starter went on to eat smaller main meal even though both starters had the same calorie content

In contrast, those who were not attempting to shift unwanted pounds ate similar amounts regardless of the food they were exposed to before both tests.

Even the sight of fruit and veg can help individuals avoid temptation, with scientists suggesting we should fill our fruit-bowls and keep the fridge well stocked if we want to stick to our diet plans.

It suggests healthy foods associated with diets, such as salads and fruit, may remind dieters of their long term goals to lose weight and improve self-control.

A third experiment involved showing participants images of either healthy food or random non-food items while carrying out a computer task. When given a variety of snack food, dieters who were shown the images of wholesome food ate less than those who had viewed random items.

Scientists say that being exposed to fruit and vegetables helps remind a dieter of their goals

Scientists from the University of Leeds said the findings indicate the sight, smell and consumption of fruit and veg can lower overall food intake.

Researcher Nicola Buckland said that 'when tempted by food, dieters should take a few moments to focus on the sensory properties of healthy food, such as the sight and smell of fruit or salad vegetables. Such healthy food cues can provide an instant reminder to dieters to regulate their intake'.

One way of stickling to diet plans is by 'increasing the presence of healthy foods in places where overeating is most likely to happen, such as the fridge, kitchen cupboards and on the desk at work, may help remind dieters to limit their food intake'.

Even when away from home, dieters can prompt resistance to temptation with a piece of fruit or baby carrots. Or when eating out 'order a salad as a starter to help reduce intake', said Miss Buckland.

The study, presented at the Annual Meeting of the Society for the Study of Ingestive Behavior, also found the effects of healthy food to improve dieters' self-control may be most beneficial when hungry.

When participants were given a standard lunch and then offered a snack two hours later, prior exposure to fruit had no effect on intake.

It suggests that diet cues may be most useful when an individual is hungry and tempted to overindulge on unhealthy food.

WOMEN - High heels can be a pain in the feet

High heels can be a pain in the feet

By Todd Lindeman and Brenna Maloney, Published: June 17, 2013

Often painstakingly selected to complete outfits, high heels put stress not just on feet, but on ankles, knees and backs, contributing to the approximately $3.5 billion spent annually in the United States for women's foot surgeries, which cause them to lose 15 million work days yearly.

SOURCE: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Apparel & Footwear Association, American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society, Mayo Clinic, Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists, "Women's Shoes and Knee Osteoarthritis," by D. Casey Kerrigan, Jenn.

WOMEN - Step away from the stilettos

Step away from the stilettos: Shocking graphics reveal what high heels are REALLY doing to your feet

• -  New infographic reveals terrifying damage heels have on feet and posture
• -  Knee joint pressure increased by 26% when a woman wears heels
• -  This is a key trigger of osteoarthritis 
• -  The height of your heels and a narrow toebox can cause numbness
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By BIANCA LONDON

PUBLISHED: 16:28 GMT, 30 July 2013 | UPDATED: 18:13 GMT, 30 July 2013

They make you look taller, leaner and more glamorous - just ask heel fanatic Victoria Beckham.

But our love affair with spindly stilettos is threatening to leave us alarmingly down at heel, according to a staggering new piece of research.

An infographic featured by The Washington Post illustrates, in shocking visual detail, the negative effect the stylish female's choice of footwear has on their bodies.

Enlarge 

From pump bump to ankle injuries, being fashionable may come at a cost if this infographic is anything to go by

The diagram shows how wearing high heels places excess force on the inside of the knee - a common site of osteoarthritis among women.

One study found that knee joint pressure increased by as much as 26 per cent when a woman wears heels.

The height of your heels and a narrow toebox can create a thickening of tissue around a nerve between the third and fourth toes, which can lead to pain and numbness in the toes called Morton's neuroma.

Consultant podiatrist Mike O'Neill, from the College of Podiatry, recently warned that squeezing feet into smaller shoes can also cause long-term damage including arthritis, stress fractures, and trapped nerves, which may even require surgery or steroid injections.

Victoria Beckham is a huge fan of skyscraper heels but they could be extremely damaging 

Another common effect of wearing heels is bunions, a problem Victoria Beckham has admitted to.

Tight-fitting shoes can cause a painful bony growth on the joint at the base of the big toe, which forces the big toe to angle in toward the other toes.

A study found that one in five feet operations are to remove bunions.

Based on the average cost of private treatment of about £4,000, this equates to £10.5million a year. 

Enlarge 

From pump bump to ankle injuries, being fashionable may come at a cost if this infographic is anything to go by

The research also highlights an issue they have dubbed 'pump bump'- caused by the rigid backs or straps of high heels which irritate the heel and create a bony enlargement also known as Haglund's deformity.

Ankle injuries are also a huge cause for concern as high heels impair balance and a wearer is therefore at greater risk of falling, which could lead to a sprained or broken ankle. 

High heels also cause the body's weight to be redistributed and prolonged wear can lead to joint pain on the ball of the foot called Metatarsalgia.

The higher a heel, the more damage it will have on your Achilles tendon as it causes it to tighten up and create pain.

And it seems that younger women are most at risk as a study found that the younger the woman, the higher their heels.

Roughly 20 per cent of those aged 18 to 24 own a pair of six-inch high heeled shoes. This compares with 10 per cent of those aged 25 to 34 and just 3 per cent of 35 to 44 year olds.

Enlarge 

From pump bump to ankle injuries, being fashionable may come at a cost if this infographic is anything to go by

And it isn't just your feet and legs that are suffering as a result of vertiginous footwear.

Spindly stilettos also put strain on your posture by pushing the centre of mass in the body forward, taking the hips and spine out of alignment, as well as putting excess pressure on the forefoot.

Mr O'Neill said: 'There's absolutely no doubt women who wear high heels are putting themselves at risk of permanent injury in the name of fashion. Given a choice between a stylish pair of shoes or nice feet, many will go for the stylish shoes.

'However, the higher the heel, the more they tilt your body forward and the more you have to lean back to compensate. 

This can put your pelvis out of alignment and cause compression of the spine.

'High heels ram your foot forward, which squishes your toes together and can cause ingrown toe nails, rough areas of skin, blemishes, and calluses.

'And because your toes are squashed, the moisture gets trapped, causing soggy toes, which is a breeding ground for athlete's foot.'

HIGH HEELS: FUN FACTS ABOUT SEXY STILLETOS

The height of a stiletto can range from 2.54 cm to 20.32 cm

The original Italian stiletto has a built-in thin stick of steel or other alloy

The first needle heels were created by French shoemaker Andre Perugia during the 40s

The Italian stiletto of the late 50s and early 60s did not exceed 5 mm in diameter and was often banned in public places for damaging flooring

The stiletto became the trademark of the ’50s thanks to French fashion designer, Roger Vivier who worked for Christian Dior and designed shoes for Queen Elizabeth II and The Beatles

Hugh Hefner chooses a classic black shoe with stiletto as part of the official clothing of the Playboy Playmate in 1960